11-04-2013, 03:50 AM
Aloha Kalakoa. We are getting off the grid for the same reasons you did. And, other folks who can, will. But, there are lots of folks who are not as fortunate. These are folks I refer generally to as the rubbah slippah folks. For them, the grid is a necessity. And, if we can maintain the grid with a cheap stable source of power that is independent of oil, it will benefit the rubbah slippah folks as well as businesses. Less of our young people will feel the need to move to the mainland to find jobs.
The utility has share holders and is a for-profit monopoly. In return for its monopoly power, it is regulated by the PUC. It cannot just charge any price it wants to.
Do I think the PUC commissioners are crooks? Emphatically, NO! Do I think they are influenced because of personal gain? NO! Do, I agree with everything they say? NO! Do they have rate payer cost on their minds. YES!
So, I agree with Kalakoa. Do take care of yourself. But, if you have extra time, help us to help the rubbah slippah folks. That will help us all.